I have enjoyed reading Adele Park’s books for a few years now and I’ve always found them very entertaining and easy to read. I’ve just finished her latest, ‘About Last Night‘, which I loved from start to finish even though it seemed a bit of a departure from some of her earlier books. ‘About Last Night‘ tackles the weightier subjects of adultery, betrayal and loyalty, and is a little more sinister at times than what I am used to from this author.

‘About Last Night‘ is about two women, Steph and Pip, now in their late thirties, who have been best friends for almost as long as they both can remember! Their lives are very different though. Steph seems to have it all with a good looking and hard working husband, three lovely sons and a fantastic house. In contrast, Pip has been unlucky in love as her daughter Chloe’s father abandoned them both not soon after she was born and they live in a cramped rented flat hardly knowing how they are going to be able to make ends meet. Pip has lurched from one crisis to the next always turning to Steph for support and advice. On the other hand, Steph has never needed Pip for anything other than to be her friend.

However, all this changes one night when Steph’s life starts crumbling before her eyes. Suddenly she needs Pip to help her and she is not asking for support or advice – she is asking Pip to lie. It becomes a test of their friendship as Pip struggles between doing what her friend asks and doing what she knows is right.

I won’t say anything more about the plot but it is an extremely absorbing and intriguing read from start to finish and I could not predict how it was all going to turn out. ‘About Last Night‘ is a real page turner and I hardly wanted to let it out of my sight let alone put it down.

‘About Last Night‘ is extremely well written and easy to read. I liked the fact that most of the story took place over the course of only five days and this made the story very well paced. I also liked the way that Adele Parks was continually dropping hints about what might or might not happen. This is done in such a clever way that ensures that the plot is never predictable. The characters are very well created too. Because I really liked both Steph and Pip, I felt that I could sympathise with both of them and the predicaments they found themselves in.

The theme of betrayal is very strong in this book. There are two betrayals that occur and both times I couldn’t help wondering what I would do in similar circumstances and also hoping that I would never have to find out. Overall this is a compulsive and thought provoking read that left me definitely wanting more. I wholeheartedly recommend ‘About Last Night‘ which has left me firmly wanting to read more books from Adele Parks.

About Last Night by Adele Parks
Published by Headline, June 2011
With thanks to Headline for providing a review copy.

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My name is Jo and I have been married to Simon for nine years. We have two beautiful daughters – Rachel who is six and Natalie who is almost five and starting school in January. I also have two step children aged twenty one and seventeen so family life is never dull.
I also manage to work three days for a local education authority where I support the teaching of literacy in primary schools. I love my job and it’s ideal for a book lover like me. In my spare time I run, dance and occasionally tread the boards with my local amateur dramatics group. My first love is reading though and you will never find me without a book on the go. My husband is also an avid reader and we are hoping to pass on our love of reading to our daughters. They certainly love their bedtime stories every night.
Although I have and English degree and I am familiar with most of the classics, I generally read much lighter stuff these days. It’s mainly ‘chic lit’ but I also enjoy a good thriller or courtroom drama. I have so many favourite authors and this list tends to change regularly depending on what I am reading.